Corbyn Victory a Great Boost for Labour

Jeremy Corbyn’s victory might have seemed to be a foregone conclusion by the end of the race, in itself a remarkable achievement. In the most open democratic internal election the Labour Party have seen, Corbyn had a clear lead from very early in the campaign. The more his opponents scrambled around looking for a response, that lead consolidated, and even grew. The truth, of course, is that this result is actually a mark of who and what the Labour Party are.

Forget talk of entryists and infiltrators. The vast majority of these new ‘supporters’ are people who qualified for a vote last time and had to re-register to be included this time. In the 2010 election when Ed Miliband narrowly won, there were 2 million affiliate votes, many of them members of other parties but eligible to vote through their trade union affiliation. In fact, though the detailed figures were never published, Neil Findlay had more actual votes than Jim Murphy in the Scottish leader election. We shouldn’t be surprised to find that, given an open ‘one member, one vote’ system, the party voted for someone who is seen to represent what many see as “real” Labour values.

Here in Scotland, the decision to choose an arch-Blairite, under the old system that handed huge power to a small group of 80 elected representatives in Westminster, Holyrood and Brussels, was devastating. It lead to a wipe-out that took Scottish Labour below the panda benchmark. That result should have been a wake-up call to Labour’s elite in London, who predict only doom and gloom ahead. As a result of that short period, the Corbyn victory might be a boost to the Scottish left but will only be a small step in a long recovery that is anything but assured.

In England, however, his leadership of the official opposition and its associated machinery puts Labour firmly at the head of the movement against Tory welfare reforms, austerity and cuts. It comes at a time when what is arguably the single most important fight for the organised left, within and outwith Labour, is about to be fought – the Tory’s Trade Union Bill. Make no mistake, the Labour Party were in very real danger of losing the support of UNITE and possibly other trade unions, this would have been a defining event in their history. Now they will be standing shoulder to shoulder with the unions, and might even see a rise in support from those trades unions not affiliated to Labour.

In 2017, parliament will make the final decision on the renewal of Trident. Again, the anti-nuclear left in England will have a party in parliament, with large numbers of MPs and huge resources, taking their fight into the corridors of power. Not, as has been suggested, a protest movement locked outside.

And these arguments will take place against the backdrop of a divided Tory party, split on the forthcoming EU referendum which will be followed by their own internal leader election when Cameron stands down ahead of the 2020 elections.

This gives the English left a focus, an actual chance to win reforms in parliament. That is, after all, what the Labour Party is supposed to be, the voice of the disenfranchised, the collective force of those who are not represented by power and wealth.

The trick for Corbyn will be in how he unites his party, the unions, and the wider progressive movement that will join Labour in the push for change. Labour has never been an easy party to lead. They exist, essentially, to bring the forces of the broad left together. It has always been understood that this means not being a socialist party as such, but a party where socialists can find a home alongside the centre-left. Keir Hardie was one of those who fought for this model of the party and the arguments about its direction have never changed. Being able to represent people and make change on their behalf in parliament is what labour are for.

But Corbyn understands that much of the party drifted from that goal. Winning elections was the most important thing for many in the post-Thatcher rebranded party. The idea of uniting the forces for good was less important than forming a Government. People, quite rightly, questioned the model of the ‘broad church’. If worker’s conditions were worsening, if the gap between the rich and poor grew, if we were engaged in costly military adventures, if the poorest were queuing at foodbanks, if immigrants were treated as scapegoats, what was the Labour Party for?

The test for Labour now is re-establishing the raison-d’etre of the party, without diminishing the numbers of seats and therefore power where it matters, in the halls of Westminster. The English left have been largely enthusiastic about Corbyn, it will be their influence – the trades unions, the anti-austerity movement, the peace movement and anti-nuclear lobby, that will decide whether this becomes what the new leader claims “A new way of doing politics”. If he can keep them on board while building bridges with the centre-left and moderates within the parliamentary and constituency Labour Party, then this result will change UK politics.

I believe he can and he will. I believe this because the result (and other results) shows clearly where the party members are. The ones who are out of step are the top of the party, the Westminster party. They have discovered that they don’t represent the party. They have given Labour an image that is not reflective of the people in the wider labour movement and their aspirations. They are the old politics, and they are about to be swept aside.
The Labour Party are about to come home.

That’s what Bella Caledonia is all about.

But we need your support to move forward…

57 Comments

Jean
1 year ago

Abulhaq
1 year ago

Knows little about our country is unsympathetic to Scottish independence or a second referendum, keeps company with people whose views on Israel and Jews is anything but moderate, is a romantic 'old time religion' socialist and has the charisma of a pineapple to boot. Yeh, nice one! England, or rather London, can keep him.

Saor Alba
1 year ago

Abulhaq
1 year ago

This venerable London party backwoodsman has a questionable record. He may press certain guardianista 'left' buttons but he is no statesman. The bright lights of public office and scrutiny may well be his nemesis. Think my comment was clear enough, he has zilch to offer us.

MBC
1 year ago

I think you're right, AH, and it's the final bit of the jigsaw puzzle for Scotland to realise that the Tories (obviously) had nothing to offer us, Labour had nothing to offer us, and soon it will be evident that even a leftie Labour will have nothing to offer us, because none of them are actually interested in us. Hate to say it, but the common denominator is England. They see us through their prism.

Saor Alba
1 year ago

Broadbield
1 year ago

Yes, remember the euphoria that greeted Obama? It was going to be transformational, the beginning of a new era, a new politics, blah, blah, blah. The reality is anything but. Guantanamo, whatever happened to that? Unrealistic expectations, the same now greeting Corbyn, a man who has risen without trace. Good luck to him, all the same, at least he is a voice in the pink Tory party that is different.

Andy Nimmo
1 year ago

Corbynmania took off big style within hours of Mhairi Black's maiden speech.
Mhairi awakened millions of dormant Labour supporters who had quit politics in disgust at Blairite principles and policies.
It would be nice if Jeremy appreciates and acknowledges this.
If not though, I'm sure Mhairi will put him right

Saor Alba
1 year ago

Exactly Ronald.
None of them are in favour of our home rule, because it does not suit them. It is delusional of some to expect this. So while we are still a part of the failed mess they call a Union, we may have more chance of opposition to the Tories, than with idiots like Milliband and his predecessors, such as Brown and Blair. Corbin is a different breed to them. Our 56 will oppose this Government, but will fight for Scotland as well. They will be aided by the small number if non-Unionist votes, but hopefully also by a re-vitalised Labour down South. Labour in Scotland are an embarrassment and are finished, as we can surmise from that daft wee lassie's comments. When we get our Independence (hopefully soon), then what anyone thinks about home rule down South becomes irrelevant.

leavergirl
1 year ago

Daryl
1 year ago

The same Corbyn who has already said he is a socialist not a unionist. I think the reaction on here to his victory is all rather sad. It's a great opportunity for working people of Scotland and the United kingdom. If nationalist where truely social democratic in nature surely you would welcome a Cornyn victory with open arms.

Andy the Pic
1 year ago

Andy Nimmo
1 year ago

Yeah he started off well but didn't take long for Labour Spin Doctors to weave their web.
By unsisting that he sings the National Dirge in future they've condemned him as a hypocrite from now on which is probably the game plan

Juteman
1 year ago

bringiton
1 year ago

His major problem will be dealing with HM right wing press who will exploit any divisions in his party and if there aren't any will manufacture them to ensure that England's electorate get the message.
Much of what he says I agree with but unless he moves democratic reform forward as far as Scotland goes then he will have achieved nothing.
The Scottish Blairites are just going to have to carp from the sidelines as their leadership line up with the SNP at Westminster to oppose the Tories.
As usual,where Scotland leads,England follows.

Kevin Williamson
1 year ago

Give him time. Jeremy Corbyn's the only Labour leader in my lifetime who MAY, and it is a qualified may, sit down and talk constructively about Scottish aspirations for home rule or independence. He may not come over to Independence immediately, or even at all, but through co-operation with the SNP group in Westminster against the Tories and austerity, and through listening to the way the wind is blowing here, he may develop an understanding of Scottish sentiments over time. If Labour can be persuaded over time to be Indy-neutral rather than NO it would be a start. It may be that the Scottish Corbynites will have little option - in order not to be further marginalised - but to ditch SLab's zealous Unionism and embrace some kid of federalism or home rule.

IMO it'd be a mistake for Yessers to dig their heels in and say screw you Corbyn once a Unionist always a Unionist. If the Indyref proved anything its that even committed Unionists, once they attune themselves to the ideals at stake in the debate, can be won over to a pro-Indy position.

Abulhaq
1 year ago

Haven't we got past the stage of schmoozing or petitioning the unionist political establishment, irrespective of its ideological colour? Independence is merely a beginning not an end. We need to get on with it. Are you listening SNP?

muttley79
1 year ago

Kevin, Corbyn has already said that he does not want to see the Scottish Parliament get anymore powers beyond the inadequate Smith Commission. He is a committed unionist. I am pleased Corbyn got elected as he is the most progressive candidate. But on Scotland he is no more radical than the Tories. It could change but I don't foresee the chances of this happening as being very high at all.

ronald alexander mcdonald
1 year ago

Kevin, Corbyn is a staunch Brit Nat when it comes to Scotland. If in doubt look at his record in the recent proposals to amend the Scotland Bill. It's abysmal! In most occasions he didn't even attend to vote!

That's not a criticism, it's merely a statement of fact. I welcome his appointment. As long as we're in the UK, then all and good. But please don't delude yourself about Home Rule. We've heard it all before.

Kimberley Cadden
1 year ago

Couldn't agree more Kevin; as will be no surprise I am a member of the SNP and like most others I am thrilled that Corbyn has been elected. Yes the SNP has to point out Labour's weaknesses as well as strengths as it is the party's job to do so, not least considering that Labour are still our opposition in Holyrood. But this is a great chance to move away from tribalism and all signs are at least tht when it comes to 'Corbyn's Labour' as Mike says, and the SNP, that is happening....If JC either doesn't get to the next election or does but loses then that will likely make it very easy to win a yes vote in an indyref soon after the GE. But if he could win the GE, and as outside a possibility it is I still hope that he does, then Kevin I think your points here are right - by then surely Corbyn will have a much better understanding of the indy issue and a better understanding of how the Scottish left, and indeed the left wing value of democracy, is the engine of the movement. And imagine an indyref campaign run with a Labour party that is either officially neutral or effectively so, again this bodes well. For people who can't imagine this I would just ask can you imagine JC approaching it like Labour did last time - a la project fear? With all the lies and scaremongering? Me neither.....

Abulhaq
1 year ago

The mawkish popular sentimentality associated with old style socialism that Corbyn dishes in spades may work with some some but I suspect the majority are now more realist, as well as sceptical of unionist politicians bearing 'gifts'.

Kenneth G Coutts
1 year ago

JC will not do anything for Scotland except try to get more Labour votes , Trident, welfare, food banks , NHS help those who are going under, wait and see do not hold much hope out for achievements , sounds like he has a broad church backing him, so much for the propaganda and misinformation coming from the integrated state Labour HQ gang and their trumpet stenographers putting him down at every turn , good to hear him lambasting them, Tom Watson to , still waiting to hear further about the missing dossier and the pedo's (celebrities, royal household,Mi5/6, IRA, ministers, Qc's ,police uncle tom cobbly and all) .

Big Jock
1 year ago

Bob Agassi
1 year ago

I used to vote Labour at every election and every time it was in the mindset of this time is the one they will make a change. I was ecstatic when Labour won in 97 and bought in to the whole devolution process and thought yes Labour have come through for us. Well we all know how that went. Power and patronage have consumed the Labour Party and to think that electing this nonentity will make any difference is delusional.

Labour aren't coming home they are going to hell in a hand cart and good riddance to bad rubbish.

Justin Kenrick
1 year ago

Excellent piece Jim.

I am amazed how some people think they know how future history will turn out, and amazed how many think that for them to benefit someone else has to suffer.

We have all worked for the success of the 'unexpected' Indyref vote against neoliberalism (shocking the powers that be with such an unexpectedly large vote in favour of independence and - for many many people - a vote against neoliberalism), and many many many have worked hard to achieve the success of this 'unexpected' Labour vote against neoliberalism. Who knows what will happen next, but what we do know from the Indyref experience is that this is not about some leader or party or state taking us to the promised land, this is about people reasserting their care and concern for the world. And that willingness to care, even in the face of all the media does to keep us cynical, has profound and unforeseen impacts.

We can see that the world is a better place than those whose power rests on divide and rule want us to believe.

Justin Kenrick
1 year ago

Hi Chic, You are probably right that the 'tribalist' Unionists (as you describe them) should have allowed a vote for devo max, but its funny that in the end that is what their 'vow' offered. In the end we were voting between an independence and a devo max option.

The fact we have neither will have some strong consequences . . . here's hoping they're good ones!

Chic McGregor
1 year ago

Will
1 year ago

The camera panned in on Kezia Dugdales face just after Jeremy Corbyn was announced as the new leader and the look on here face was like she had lost a £10 note very sourpuss indeed. I dont want to intrude on private grief but here is how it goes, the Labour Party is split in two and there will be infighting from the off between the two sides which are the Blairites and the Corbynites. As for the Scottish Labour Section as it is referred to on Wikipedia well Kezia Dugdale will side with the Blairites and the Corbynites will be dissapointed as they will find that Alex Rowley can't make a decision and stick to it so he will sit on the fence and remain neutral. Meanwhile the SNP will establish themselves as the main opposition fighting the Tories and in doing so will garner even more support for what is the inevitable outcome an Independent Scotland. SNP is the best for me.

Broadbield
1 year ago

All this ecstasy over New New Labour, or is it Old Labour, forgets one thing: the people who rule England aren't the political parties, they are the Establishment, the money men, the City bankers and financiers, the press barons, the old and new aristocracy, the products of public schools, the lawyers, judiciary, monarchists, the BofE, the right-wing think tanks, the foreign billionaires buying up London and an assortment of hangers-on who've never had it so good and aren't going to give up everything they've won stuffing the poor and driving down workers' rights and wages for the past 40 years.

Alex Beveridge
1 year ago

Got it in one, Broadbield. If Corbyn thought the monstering was bad before his election, just wait until the establishment really start on him. Watching the Sky newspaper review last night, Lance Price, former Labour party Director of Communications, stressed how deep divisions exist, and what we are seeing at the moment is only scratching the surface.
Going out canvassing today, so we'll see if anything is said on the doorsteps.

Lochside
1 year ago

Good for English Labour. Maybe it will help us in our struggle. But I doubt it. As noted, we are and have been subjugated by English Imperialism for three hundred years.....its corrupt aristocratic and financial elite will still be there, despite Corbyn.

I worry about a drift by Labour defectors to the SNP back to the mirage of 'socialism' presented by this result. I hope that I'm wrong and that the monolithic attack by the English msm that will ensue to discredit and abuse Labour in England will wise up anyone considering that move back to essentially a reformist party...when staying with the SNP offers revolution via Independence.

Go for it
1 year ago

Corbyn's selection now and his possible election in future will never remove the fact that Scotland could still end up with Tory governments that it didn't vote for in the future. This changes nothing for Scotland in the long run, if we stay in the union.

Iain More
1 year ago

Anybody want to bet that he wont be Labour leader going into the 2020 GE. If by some miniscule possibility he is still Labour leader then and if it even remotely looks like he might win such an election then he will probably be caught in a compromising position just days before the first postal ballots are due to go out. I wouldn't put it past the Brit Establishment to pull such a stunt and have the Press and Media releases ready to go.

Nothing changes for Scotland whatever happens. I wish Corbyn luck in England and Wales but I want out of this rotten corrupt Union and his election as Labour leader doesn't change anything for me.

douglas clark
1 year ago

He could do it by standing up for fundamental principles. He hs the opportunity to do that right now.

However.

I doubt, seriously, that his Parliamentary Party has any principles whatsoever. Any compromise on Trident replacement means he is is just another apologist for the evil that is Westminster, or the bubble of nonsense that they promulgate.

douglas clark
1 year ago

Anna Mac
1 year ago

Good luck to Jeremy Corbyn, I really do wish him success in hauling his party into shape - people in England and Wales needed this change. I don't see how his leadership is a threat to the Scottish Indy Movement at all. Labour in Scotland are still an absolute mess. SNP, SG and RISE are all growing in size and strength. Ref2 will happen when the time is right and not before, as nobody who voted Yes wants another defeat - 45% or even 55% not enough. Don't see how Corbyn will have any negative effect on Indy movement but there's the possibility that his PLP could unintentionally (or not) strengthen Scottish Independence aspirations.

Andy Nimmo
1 year ago

Yeah but don't forget that the SNP are both a Government in Scotland and an Opposition in Westmindter.
Its a fifficult juggling act. As government they have to keep an eye on foreign opinion to some extent. They must also try and not alienste business and investors too much. The Opposition Mps dont have that concern.
All this played out against a bitter, lying SLAB movement supported and encouraged by a compliant media.( watch out, as Michsel Greenwell says for new 'left leaning' Scottish editions of the Mail and Express Rags) could sufficiently brainwash some to hive Labour judt one more chance.

Anna Mac
1 year ago

The 56 will be very wise on what issues to support Labour on, I'm sure of that. Not sure that many in Scotland will be swayed by press to give "Scottish Labour" one last chance - too many memories of Darling, Brown, Alexander, Curran, Lamont, Gordon Mathieson etc, etc. Still don,t see Corbyn as a threat to growth of Indy movement.

Andy Nimmo
1 year ago

c rober
1 year ago

Corbyn is the future for Labour in England , and perhaps the saviour of it in Scotland , but only if he follows the course on FFA if not total indy , and creates NewSlab with full autonomy from the party in England , as a brotherhood instead of the current and long term situation of servant to Labours London Leadership , and rids the North Enland branch of Kezia and the old Blairites in a root and branch clearout.

Just like how the Snp got more power by veering to the left to capture the voter to keep them in some sort of power , and indeed create more with a general election 56 landslide in a protest vote , then Corbyn must have seen this happen and capitalised on the mood in England , where the betrayal of Englands workers and unemployed , by the previous Labour doctrines , helped give him the seal for the top job..... and the hope that comes with it for change backwards into its history pre 1997.

It was and is more than foodbanks that brought home Cobynism, more than austerity , the electorate north of Watford or should that be the Labour card carrying voter , well thy have had enough of Red Tory..... with its penny increases in pensions , reductions in benefits , removal of workers rights and pay increases , this as the wealthy new aristocrats got pounds from the poor and workers pockets , doubling their wealth since the Financial crash in the process and continuing the trend of keeping the poor outside power.

But considering that the Electorate still returned the Tories to power , and the continuation of austerity but weeks before the Labour party voted on a new leader , where the other candidates had abstained on welfare voting , and read from the same Blairible , then perhaps he will make a difference next GE , but that is along time away unless something happens before then.... like another election

But I think what we have here is unfortanately another SMITH where he will be deceased and instead replaced ...... therefore he is only keeping the seat warm for another Blairite red tory bum until then.

After all there is another 5 years wait , and until then they can remain in the shadows , attacking him in year 4 and taking power back , unless he concentrates on on the enemy within during that time and replaces more than half the party during the next four years then it will happen.

Ironically last week I was back watching the state media propoganda channel and happened on Blue Peter for adults the 7 oclock show.

They went around a tory town and asked the regular voter on the street whether they liked the political ideaolgy of Corbyn , without their knowledge of it being his , and therefore future Labour policies , and they nearly all agreed with them!

So perhaps the beleif that Labour should be more tory , or risk being a party unelectable , has finally been quashed. Anti austerity , pay freezes , higher taxes on the wealthy , even removal of Trident seemed to strike a cord.... in the UK town with the highest and longest percentage of returning Tory candidates and one more affluent than any in the North.

I do notice his silence on Indy though , which is deafening , other than the same media during indy in the pockets of the unionjihadists , whom have banged the drum that he will never be putting indy on the table.

Until then I will reseved my GE voting on a party that has that on the table in Scotland , namely the SNP.

This even if I do think they are still liars on other policies - proving they are a party of socialist veneers soley to remove the labour opposition to them in Scotland. A party where wealth creation of the landowners , where community rejection is overruled by both Local and Hollyrood SNP led governments in the Landowners favour , is all under th guise of Affordable Housing that clearly isnt , and that their supply of Council housing , one that would take over a century to supply at the their current rate with SNP policy .... well they happily boast is better than the supply by both Labour and Tory governments , like some wifebeating husband that argues he beat the wife less than her previous husband did , so we should be content with our lot.